Crosby nearing decision on playing in Europe

Sidney Crosby received quite a workout in Colorado’s high altitude last week.

His mind was working overtime, too.

Crosby spoke at length with a number of NHL stars while working out in Vail and sounds closer to playing in Europe.

“Right now for me, it’s more of a week-to-week thing,” Crosby said. “Each week you want to figure out if discussions are heating up. If things get close, that’s great. If things are far apart again, that’s probably not a good sign, so we’ll see what happens.”

Crosby has acknowledged he almost certainly will play in Europe but only if he senses the entire NHL season will be lost.

“Guys around the league are trying to figure out what they’re going to do,” Crosby said. “That’s something I realized in Colorado. A lot of guys are on the fence about going over to Europe or staying here. Everyone has their structure, their routine. And the season is supposed to be starting now. Now everyone has to decide what to do.”

Crosby worked out in Colorado with NHL stars such as Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos and Phoenix’s Keith Yandle.

NHL, union to meet Wednesday

The NHL and its union will resume labor talks Wednesday in New York, but core economics will not be part of the agenda, deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Monday.

Top officials from the league and its Players Association have met several times over the past few weeks, but the sides have not made habit of talking about revenue definitions or split among owners and players since the league enacted a lockout Sept. 15.

The regular season was set to open Thursday, with the Penguins to play their first game Friday at Consol Energy Center. However, the first two weeks of the season have been cancelled, and the league has not ruled out additional schedule modification in the near future.

Talks between the sides broke down last week after discussions were held in Toronto.